English: An official image of California State Controller John Chiang (江俊輝) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Updated at 5:15 p.m.

By Brian Hews

As the city of Cerritos and the State of California continue to battle over the abolishment of redevelopment agencies, California State Controller John Chiang held a meeting in his office in Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday that was attended by at least a half-dozen city officials, Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper can confirm.

HMG-CN learned through a source on Wednesday about the meeting. Chiang met with Cerritos City Councilwoman Carol Chen, City Manager Art Gallucci, Community Development Director Torrey Contreras, City Finance Director Denise Manoogian, and City Attorney Mark Steres.

Gallucci confirmed that Mayor Bruce Barrows did not attend the meeting but gave no reason why.

Gallucci would not discuss the specific details of the meeting, but said it was a “cordial meeting” with Chiang.

HMG-CN contacted Chiang for a direct comment throughout the day on Thursday, but the phone calls were not returned.

Gallucci did say that “we discussed the issues between us” but would not elaborate.

Gallucci confirmed that the city would be meeting with officials in the State Controllers Office as early as next week.

A spokesperson for Chiang also confirmed the meeting with the newspaper. “I can confirm that the Controller did meet with Cerritos city officials at their request earlier today in the Controller’s LA office. The city asked the Controller to engage with them in discussions on next steps, and the Controller said he would be happy to. The meeting was very amicable and we expect to have more such meetings in the future,” said Hallye Jordan a spokesperson for the Controller’s office.